The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1887-10-08


Mated oat TO Criminals
The citizens Of He!aaa. Mont. had
long bssa accustomed 10 dssl OH. jus.
ties TO criminals. They found this pop
ular way far more speedy and efficient
than the ordinary law courts. Time
gave them much experience in hand
ling criminals. and their calm. unim-
FASHIONED. methodical way is well illus
trated in their treatment Of the villains
who had attacked George Lenhart.
Lenhart was kind-hearted old man.
who was well known and highly re.
spected. He was found one morning
: lying senseless by the roadside anil
covered with blood. Oa regaininy
consciousness he said that while riding
homeward the previous night he had
been oyertaken by two horsemen. Ono
Of them shot him in the thigh. and
when he had fallen from his horse they
had beaten him to insensibility. He
described the men, and they were soon
arrested and lodged in Jail
The following evening the citizens
met to :alk the matter over. A general
discussion WAS had, and then they
, quietly adjourned TO meet the follow
ing dag. An hour before the appoint
ed timo thousand men had gathered
AT the place OF meeting. A chairman
was appointed and he stated the gener-
al purpose for which they had come to-
gether. There was not the slight
est excitement visible anywhere;
every thing was quiet and orderly as
camp meeting.
A well-known merchant OF the town
removed his hat and moved that a Jury
Of twenty citizens be appointed to OBJ
tain evidence. to listen TO arguments
for the prosecution and the defense,
and TO declare to the assembly tho
guilt or innocence of the persons ac-
cused. The motion was seconded and
carried. The jury was selected, and
retired at once to a room to begin its
Investigations
Up to .his time the prisoners had re-
maincd in the jail unmoested But
the committee had use for them now.
and sent its marshal u bring them
The marshal, with number of men,
waited upon the sheriff, but that officer
declined to surrender his prisoners.
The marshal thereupon increased his
force, seized the sheriff and his depu-
ties, and searched for the keys. When
these were found the Officers OF the
law were locked in room together
and guard placed over them that
they might not make themselves
troublesome. One of the prisoners
was then taken from the prison. and
between double line of citizens was
led to the committee room. He made
q full confession, and his accomplice
afterward did the same. The commit
tee thereupon went out before tho as
sembly and reported that the guilt Of
the prisoners was fully established,
AT this juncturo the district Judge
appeared and asked to be heard. Per-
mission was granted. He entered u
strong protest against this interference
with the civil authorities.
The Judge was listened to patiently
and respectfully. He was a good
enough man. but they had heard SINH
lar arguments fifty times before. They
had grown tired of sitting quietly by
awaiting the laws delay. while men
were shot down and robbed day after
day.
Finally the question was put by the
chairman: What shall be done with
the prisoners?"
"Hang themH' was the response.
Again and more carefully the Ques-
ton was put: "Is it your decree that
the prisoners, Joseph Wilson and A. l..
Compton. shall be taken to Pine Tree.
in Dry Gulch, and there be hanged by
the neck until they are dcad?'
ut is! That's the verdictn came
from almost every person present.
1t was then 2:30 o'clock. a motion
prevailed that the prisoners be given
till four o'clock to prepare for death.
Throughout the entire proceedings the
utmost dccorum and even solemnity
prevailed among the crowd, which had
gradually swelled to three thousand
souls. At no time during the day had
there been any loud talking or bolster
Gus demonstration.
At the appointed hour tho gulch pre-
sented the appearance OF vast amphi-
theater. 1t was lined with dense
mass Of human beings. who covered
the adjacent hills also. The town was
deserted. At 4:30 o'clock the men
were taken from the room where they
had been confined. They were placed
in q wagon. and each appeared intent
on the words Of the priest by their side.
The wagon halted under the branches
Of the fatal tree. The rope was thrown
over limb. prayers were said. the
horses were started and all was quickly
over.-St. Paul Globe.